Peter Jackson and James Cameron on one stage!

3.) Entertainment Weekly: The Visionaries [Friday 6:30-7:30 -- Hall H]
Of course, one panel featuring Peter Jackson isn't enough. So why not bring him out with James Cameron? EW will conduct an in-depth conversation with the innovators about the art of film and how technology and global culture will change cinema. A must attend for any VFX pro.

Mickey Rourke coming to The Con?

2.) Paramount Pictures and Marvel Ent.: Iron Man 2 [Saturday 4:00-5:00 -- Hall H]
When Iron Man footage first debuted at Comic-Con, it blew fans away. Paramount Pictures and Marvel Ent. hope to do the same with the sequel. Besides new footage fans can expect cast members to grace the stage as well. Who could it be -- director Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow or Samuel L. Jackson, who have been to the Con before, or new Iron Man cast members like Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell or Mickey Rourke? It's one of those events you have to attend to find out.

More than this press shot will be revealed of Avatar at Comic-Con.

1.) 20th Century Fox and James Cameron present Avatar [Thursday 3:00-4:15 -- Hall H]
But no panel at the entire Con is more anticipated than the first public look at footage from James Cameron's Avatar. Cameron, producer Jon Landau, and cast members will be on hand. If the rumors are true, this could be a moment for the history books. I'm jealous of all who get to attend.

Also check out the top 15 animation events at Animation World Magazine.

Rick DeMott is the managing editor of Animation World Network and editor of AWNtv. In his free time, he runs the movie review site, Rick's Flicks Picks. He has written for TV series, such as Discovery Kids' Growing Up Creepie and Cartoon Network's Pet Alien, the animation history book Animation Art, and the humor, absurdist and surrealist website Unloosen. Previously, he held various production and management positions in the entertainment industry.